The Curious Case of the Growing Night Stand

The problem with Amazon.com is the sheer depth of offerings and the ease at which one can make a purchase. Combine that with a scatterbrained mind and you have a recipe for a tower of books on top of my night stand that is getting babelesque. 

Here is what I currently have in the active queue.

1. The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle- This came with such a high recommendation from Jason Hansen that I was willing to over look the Oprah accolades.  I'm still just a few chapters in but I feel like he does a good job of bringing Eastern thought to a western audience.  We live in such tumultuous and distracting times that we rarely reach the inner peace that Eckhart talks about.
2. The Revolution, Ron Paul- The more I take into account my political thinking the more the Libertarian platform resonates.  This book was loaned to me by my Camelback hiking buddy, Chris West.  I will always value liberty and individuality and I am often perplexed by people who think that Government needs to be the answer to so many things.
3. Around the Roman Table, Patrick Faas- I love Roman history and I love the culinary arts.  This is the perfect marriage.  While I will never be a huge fan of Garum I do enjoy reading about the role that food played throughout Roman history.  There are even some recipes in there for those bold enough to recreate a Roman dinner.
4. Exploring the Lands of the Book of Mormon- I had an earlier version of this book when I was a kid and in love with the archeology of the Toltecs, Olmecs, and Maya.  While I don't ever feel that there will be enough archeology to ever convince the skeptic of the veracity of the Book of Mormon I do enjoy reading about history of the region and the similarities between the Book and recorded history and archeological evidence.
5. On Grattitude, Todd Jensen- This is from a cherished cousin.  Todd interviews celebrities for a living and over the course of several years he has captured their expressions of gratitude.  They range from truly heartfelt to somewhat odd.
6. Mexifornia, Victor Davis Hanson- I am often perplexed out how complicated we have made what should be a rather straightforward issue, immigration.  Hanson creates an interesting narrative based on his experience growing up and living in Central California.  He has some interesting points and observations but I wish he would have provided more science and statistics to back up his assertions.
7. Road to Serfdom, FA Hayek- The bible for those who believe in political freedom and hate centrally planned economies.  His book sprang out of his observations from Europe leading up to and just after World War II.  I have just started this book but, based on the wide ranging opinions for good and bad, it should be an interesting read.

The Steve Jobs Legacy

I was never much of an Apple guy and I always bristled when the name Steve Jobs was mentioned among the all-time business visionary elite.  But recently I decided to give into the masses and buy his biography at Costco...I needed something and that something certainly wasn't going to be a pair of Kirkland shoes.

I was unsurprised at the stories of a grating and domineering personality.  My slight disdain for Apple was moderately justified when I read one of the core motto's that Steve lived by, 'Good artists copy, great artists steal'. But then something along the way changed.  I started to gain a little empathy, even profound respect, for what he accomplished.  Maybe it was reading this book in light of his passing, maybe it was a better understanding of how instrumental he has been in shaping industries and the way the humans consume and create.

This understanding didn't really come into focus until I finally was able to separate who he was and what he did.  His life didn't seem too virtuous and he certainly won't be up for any humanitarian awards anytime soon.  The way he treated people, his employees especially, was incredibly bad.  My admiration for him would have grown 10 fold had he been able to accomplish his great feats while being a decent father and employer. 

Regardless I had to come to grips with the magnitude of his marketing and design genius.  Yes, he did steal a lot of ideas, sorry Xerox, but he packaged them and brought them to the masses in a way that no one else could.  His Bauhaus inspired minimalist design not only appealed to our aesthetic instincts they also provided a simple and non intimidating way to experience bleeding edge technology.  His Zen-like approach to design revolutionized computers (Apple), Music (iPod), Music Distribution (iTunes), Movies (Pixar), Tablets (iPad), Phones (iPhone), and Retail Stores (Apple Store).  Did I miss anything?

Reading the last few chapters were poignant and sobering for me.  It was interesting to see what he was doing knowing that he was on his last breaths.  I got a fairly heavy feeling of sadness.  Not because we were losing a great man.  But rather, we were losing a man whose vision and dreams helped magnify our creative instincts in myriad and incalculable ways. 

I finished the book with a greater inclination to buy an Apple product.  I also got some great insights into the minds, egos, and companies that helped shape the last great American created industry.  A good read and a wonderful peak into the life of a man who truly helped shape the last 40 years.




--Note--
At the same time I was reading the Steve Job's bio I was also reading "How will you measure your life" by Clayton Christensen. I couldn't help but wonder if Steve couldn't have benefited from the principles taught in this amazing book. I also couldn't help but wonder if Steve would have still been able to create such fabulous products without sacrificing his relationship with family, friends, and co-workers. I then wondered what was more important....my family and relations or the output from my work.

Jeff Jensen: The 135lb Titan of the Titanic

Ever since he was the weest of wee lads my little brother, Jeff, has had a voracious appetite for anything relating to the RMS Titanic.  He was a child celebrity at the 80th anniversary Titanic convention where he met many of the survivors.  The next bit of fame came with the James Cameron classic flick in 1997. Now, like a return visit from Halley's comet, Jeff is given another 15 minutes of fame as Utah's resident Titanic historian.

 As local and national media seeks to create stories and newsbits to satisfy our 100th anniversary curiosity Jeff has been on call.  Here is a sampling of the latest bits.

•  CA TV (Canada).
• Link to article in the Provo Daily Herald
• Interview on Fox 10's morning news in Salt Lake City
• Link to article in MSNBC
• Soon to come interview with KSL

Should you have more interest on this great ship or in scheduling a lecture, please visit

www.livingtitanic.com

No more TMZ.com, more Khan Academy

I've become a huge fan of the Khan Academy site.  We all spend countless hours mindlessly surfing the web.  Well why not learn something along the way.  Play around the site and see the wide range of subjects covered.  I'm into Italian Art and Architecture this video pleases me by combining both ...find a video that mirrors your interests.


Linear Perspective: Filippo Brunelleschi's Experiment from Smarthistory Videos on Vimeo.

What's more Roman then the Aqueduct?

The Aqueduct was one of Ancient Rome's proudest engineering feats and abundant water was one of the primary reasons that the city was able to thrive as it did.  This great piece captures the discovery of the great Aqua Traiana, just one of the many things that Trajan built.


While the video might be a little dry, this link is pretty cool.



The Search for the Aqua Traiana with Rabun Taylor from MEON HDTV PRODUCTIONS on Vimeo.

Wait...I need a centrifuge to cook some of these dishes?

The cooking book to end all cooking books... Take a look at this book.  It is cool and ground breaking.  It will make you wonder if you've even been cooking before you read this thing. I was all excited until I realized that I need a PhD in Chemistry and the budget of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory to pull off most of these dishes.


Modernist Cuisine Trailer from Modernist Cuisine on Vimeo.

The collective human experience

A good portion of my free book time is spent towards history. Oftentimes we are so consumed with the issues of the 'here and now' that we forget to truly educate ourselves or to enjoy the triumphs and tragedies of our forebearers.  So replace that copy of "The Millionaire Next Door" with a book regarding an age or a time that truly interests you.

And if you don't  find value in history, the words of Hugh Nibley, taken from 'Approaching Zion' offer you a good reason as to why you should.

"By neglecting to consult the writings of the ancients, we miss the fact that in their trials and triumphs, individually and collectively, they had to undergo exactly the same trials that we do: the props of the plays, the technology, and the fashions, wear out and are constantly being replaced, but the issues and the plot always remain the same."

Rome in America. (Part III)

I am continually fascinated by Roman history, particularly the exceptionally tumultuous period when the Republic was usurped by Imperial rule. I can't help but wonder if this specific period has the potential to be echoed in our contemporary American experience.

Specifically, I am interested in the decline of virtue and its impact on society. The period right before and during Caesar's rise, reign, and assassination saw an increased abandonment of the core principles, values, and responsibilities that girded the Roman Republic. The following is an apt description of the times.

"As soon as riches came to be held in honor, when glory, dominion, and power followed in their train, virtue began to lose its luster, poverty to be considered a disgrace, blamelessness to be termed malevolence. Therefore...riches, luxury, and greed, united with insolence, took possession of our young manhood. They pillaged, squandered; set little value on their own, coveted the goods of others; they disregarded modesty, chastity, everything human and divine; in short they were utterly thoughtless and reckless."
-Sallust

Now you can understand why people like Cato were so ticked. But doesn't that also sound like today in America? Causes, unity, and respect have given away to TMZ, boorishness, selfishness, self indulgence, and laziness. We've gone from the "Greatest Generation" to "Generation X" in less than 40 years. I don't want to be the bum who says that the sky is falling but I can't help but look at the above quote and think it does such a good job of encapsulating one of the big causes to the fall of one Republic and the weakening of another modern one.

In search of the modern day Pyrrhic victories

I love history. There's much to be gained by studying the feats and failures of past generations. And I've learned that history gets better, or perhaps more exaggerated, with age. Most of my studies center around the Classical eras of Greece and Rome and I'm currently reading something about the Republican era of Rome. There is much from this era that can be applied to the USA but I want to focus this entry on one statement made by one man, King Pyrrhus.

The scene is set during the mid-Republic in southern Italy. Rome is expanding and assimilating land once occupied by Greeks, Latins, and Etruscans. Southern Italy has been Greek owned and they are trying to hold their land. King Pyrrhus is in charge of repelling the Roman onslaught and, to the casual observer he appeared to be doing so. Even though he was technically winning battles he was losing the war. After one such victory he stated that "one more such victory would utterly undo him". Historians remember this statement and situation as a "Pyrrhic Victory" or a victory that ultimately will do more harm than good.

Let's step back into the present day and attempt to apply this term to what we are currently seeing around us. Are we able to see actions and policies that seem like victories but that will ultimately lead to defeat? Do we see people that create victories for themselves that ultimately unravel the bigger whole?

Here are a few things that I could think of....

• Wall Street- We are flooded with examples from Wall Street illustrating actions that benefited a select few while pillaging the general public. Bernie Madoff may have had a few years of astronomical profit for himself but he ultimately destroyed the wealth of everyone around him, causing far more harm then any good or earnings he ever created. Self interest is an important component of a free market but Wall Street has been courting the far more dangerous greed to horrible results. My recent entry regarding Goldman Sachs discusses the overwhelming tendency of these financial firms to act in a manner that brings themselves incredible earnings at the expense of the greater economy.
• Politics- Government has been transformed into an ATM machine for special interests. Lobbyists and Pork Barrel projects are classic examples of political actions stepping into "Pyrrhic" territory. These politicians are focused on their individual parts or interests to the degree that the whole is less then the sum of its parts. There is a definite get in, get mine, and get out attitude in DC. Take the time to track government spending back to its roots and you can see the greedy dance that takes place between Congress and the special interests that buy their votes. This blog is one among many that highlights some of the most egregious examples.
  
• Sports- Baseball has done a superb job of providing exhibit #1 for "Pyrrhic" victories. Steroids gave great numbers and a temporary boost in excitement for the sport but once the syringe hit the fan the sport has become illegitimate and runs the risk of permanently loosing its status as our preferred pastime. Performance enhancing drugs do a great job of providing short term gains at the expense of long term health and viability.
  

Unfortunately we see hundreds of examples in present day society where we are sacrificing our long term health for short term gain. Any time that someone artificially inflates profits in order to get a bigger bonus they are jeopardizing the bigger picture. For each congressman who takes a kickback in exchange for a key vote they are just kicking the crap out of the morals that built this country. Every time we let greed, self interest, or selfishness determine our actions we tear apart the fabric that serves as the binding force that keeps our communities healthy and functioning. Remember that the whole should be greater then the sum of its parts....sometimes we need remind ourselves and our actions of that truth.

Mexican Immigration Post #1: Addendum: Required Reading

The following are several books that help shed some light on the Mexican culture, border culture, and Mexican politics. There are several others worth noting but I've found these to be the most accessible and descriptive.

1. Labyrinth of Solitude, Octavio Paz: This is a classic piece of literature from the Nobel Laureate that really delves into the psyche of the Mexican people. If you can understand this you can really get a better understanding of the hopes and fears of the nation.
   
2. True Tales from Another Mexico, Sam Quinones: A great read that helps illustrate the different subcultures within Mexico through crisp chapters depicting such subject matter as Chalino Sanchez, Jesus Malverde, and mob justice.
   
3. Bordering on Chaos, Andres Oppenheimer: Though slightly dated it reads very well and allows you to look at Mexico from a more macro lens. It covers the major events that have shaped Mexican politics and culture over the last 100 years. Some of the insights into things like the Mexican Peso crisis of 1994 read as fast as anything put out by Grisham.
   
4. Distant Neighbors, Alan Riding: A slightly drier book in the same vein as "True Tales." Each chapter explains an event, culture, or mentality that is absolutely critical to understanding Mexico.
   
5. Batos, Bolillos, Pochos and Pelados, Chad Richardson: Written by a professor and former Stake President in my South Texas mission this book takes a more academic look at the impact that immigrants have had on border communities, particularly the Texas Mexico border. It is a great sociological read that helps elucidate the fascinating mosaic of people that make up border communities.
   

Pertinent Reading

We read for diversion, we read for knowledge, we read for greater insights into ideas that might be beyond our current grasp, we even read to try to get our minds around events that are swirling around us. The book, "Age of Turbulence" by Alan Greenspan combines those things and is a must read for anyone coming to grips with the brutal hole that we have dumped our economy into.

As a person who has been intimately involved in shaping and interpreting every major economic development since the 1950's; Mr. Greenspan is an an absolutely unique position as narrator. Despite the fact that the book is loaded with mountains of Macro Economic jargon it still is entertaining and reads almost as fast as any book that Grisham ever wrote. It is an absolute godsend for any student of political economics who is sick of how absolutely insipid and prosaic most textbooks are.

One of the most informative insights shared was how separate economic and political timing is. For example, Bush Sr. took important but politically questionable actions to help push the economy out of recession. Unfortunately his successor, Mr. Bill, was the one who was around to see those efforts take fruit. It was also interesting but sad to see how we second handedly destroyed our largest budget surplus in history through the bursting of the dot.com bubble, President Bush's stubbornness in not shelving his campaign promises despite of changing circumstances, and Congress and its insatiable desire for pork barrel politics.

Do yourself a favor and give this book a read. Economics have never been more sexy. It is very pertinent and, at the very least, it will make you more interesting at the next coctail party.

Prolonged exposure to EBAY can lead to serious addiction

It comes and goes like my quarterly craving for a Big Mac or a Santa Ana wind. Every several months I reintroduce myself to the great free-market experiment that is called E-Bay. And every time that casual infatuation turns into a full blown fever.

There was the baseball card rash of 2003 when I spent a boatload of cash on cards that featured actual game used jerseys of my favorite players. Those cards are currently in a shoebox in my office closet. Then there came the coin craze of 05'. It was a spectacular epiphany when I discovered that you could by artifacts from your favorite corner of antiquity. So I bought tons of coins both for myself and in an effort to teach my nieces and nephews about the coolness of history.

Fast forward to the present. I casually went online to see if I could find some good prices on jewelry for Jodi. But fifteen minutes into the exercise I was soon doing searches for things that interested me. I found an original Diego Rivera watercolor. I found authentic jerseys. And I found a multitude of items from Greek and Roman antiquity. While it was cool to see the stuff I was craving a more interactive experience. So I started to bid on these items. My primary reasons were A) a curiosity to see if I could actually get something like that at a cheap price and B) To make the other guys earn their keep by bidding up the price on those items.

Well the euphoria was soon doused by the cold water of reality when I realized that I was only a few hours away from having to own several hundreds of dollars of rare art. I almost ended up having to buy the Diego Rivera but it ended up settling for $630. I did however get stuck with a Greek Lekythos. What is that you ask? Well here is a textbook definition from Wesleyan University

"This vase was a flask used for toilet oils, perfume, or condiments, and also appears in funerary contexts, where it was used to pour libations for the dead or was left on the grave as an offering."

So I am now a proud owner of my very own Lekythos. I've actually looked at several sites of antiquities dealers and evidently I got a good price on the thing. I will just consider this to be an investment. With the stock market tanking I figure that this is just as good a place to put my retirement funds.

I have also learned my lesson. Unless I have gobs of discretionary income then I should probably avoid spending time on Ebay. I have sworn it off for now but you never know when the siren song of sweet deals and exotic goods will come calling again. Until then I will enjoy my little funerary vase from 5th Century BC Greece.

Those Darn Medici's

So I've been reading "The House of the Medici" by Christopher Hibbert. While the book succeeds in taking a lot of the magical intrigue out of the powerful family it does do a good job of burying you in facts and names. In spite of the prosaic writing style I came away with a better sense of the Renaissance, the family, and of that time.

First things first, I was not surprised to see that the same themes that are uncovered when I read about Rome or Constantinople are also present here. Greed, power, and lust have been powerful forces in just about every civilization. I guess human nature is always human nature. This is still the case today although it seems somewhat covered in a shroud of restraint and civility.

Second, the level of corruption that was oozing out of the Vatican was astounding. Positions were bartered as means to buttress the power of certain families. Enemies were mercilessly killed. All of the sins that were so clearly condemned in scripture were being openly violated in front of the public eye. This is especially upsetting given the upcoming movie, "September Dawn" that is using shoddy facts and inclusive circumstantial evidence to paint Brigham Young as a murderous tyrant and the LDS church as cult like. Yes, the episode was horrible but it is irresponsible to draw those conclusions given the information available. I hate being demonized as a church for one episode for which there is no established tie and yet there are so many religions/groups with confirmed skeletons that are leveling these charges. Anyways...

Third, It is absolutely astonishing the this many influential figures came from one region and during one period of time. The list is long and includes names like: Botticelli, Da Vinci, Machiavelli, Michelangelo, Galileo, Donatello, and Brunichelli. It makes you wonder if there were many other equally impressive people in history who are forgotten because they didn't benefit from the incredible Medici PR machine that brought them prominence and immortality.

The Band of Brothers

So I subscribe to Netflix. I’ve got about one free night a week to devote to pursuing care free frivolity. Since I don’t have cable or internet at my house I figure that this is my best shot at getting entertainment that I actually care about. I typically go for a comedy, documentary, or some big budget movie that I wasn’t willing to pay $10 in the theatre to see. This time I broke rank and tried something new, I decided on “The Band of Brothers.”
I don’t casually watch shows like “Saving Private Ryan”, or “Patton”, or even “Lord of the Rings”. They are exceptionally rewarding but very consuming. I know that if I am going to watch one of these shows it will require a lot of attention and I will be very affected. It’s a lot easier to watch Fletch on a Wednesday night instead of a show depicting the horrors of war.
It seems like the closer you get to experience the extremes of life the more affected you become. The “Band of Brothers” chronicles the actions of the 101st Airborne’s Easy Company during the European invasion of World War II. It has most of the same elements of most war shows- the battle scenes, the drama, etc… But the part of the show that really got to me? The human element.
Through the course of the show- 10 episodes- you get to really know the characters wearing the fatigues. You see them as humans, for better or worse. This allows you to relate to them. It makes you wonder how you would have responded in such dire circumstances.
Let me describe one of the more poignant scenes. It came from the end of the war and the last episode. By this point the 101st was occupying the last German stronghold and the war was all but over. The Germans were being round up and set into POW camps. As expected there were scenes of US troops taunting and mocking the defeated Germans, and who can blame them. This was right after the concentration camps were discovered and I am sure that the US feelings of hatred towards the Germans were only amplified. Despite being defeated most of the Germans still marched in order and carried a semblance of dignity.
One of the defeated generals asked permission to speak to his troops, it was granted by the commanding US officer. His wounded and dispirited troops stood at attention as they were addressed. The general then spoke words that really put things in perspective. The US forces had an interpreter there as well and were similarly affected. The general, almost in tears, shared his gratitude and honor for having served with such men. He said that this experience forged within them eternal bonds of brotherhood. My heart broke and at that moment I wished that I could have been there to hear that speech in person.
The movie did such a good job of humanizing the war. War isn’t a “Risk” board with two opposing forces hungry to occupy territory and resources. War is good men being compelled by either a good or bad cause to do extraordinary things. The poor men, both Allied and Germans, were far from the decision makers that brought them there, but they were nonetheless the ones shedding blood. They did it because they believed in their cause.
These men became infinitely better people because of how they responded to these difficult circumstances. Sometimes I wish that we had a similar refiner’s fire to force me into extraordinary things. We live in relative peace and prosperity, far from these horrors. But you can’t help but think that we’ve forgotten these sacrifices. And in doing so, we’ve lost some of our capacity to become a better people. For that reason I won’t soon forget watching “Band of Brothers.”

Born at the wrong time

One thing, possibly the only thing, that I like about business travel is that I can select a good book to keep me company. The latest selection is "A war like no other" by Victor Davis Hanson. It edged out "Theodore Rex" and "1776". It details the Peloponessian War and its application to the complex world that we face today.
The book is very exhaustive in its coverage and offers the best details of the war and its strategies this side of Thucycides. Hanson has a very strong background in both military and greek history. He makes a strong case in comparing ancient Athens to the current United States. While both nations were not perfect they did create systems that engendered a degree of resentment with their neighbors. Athens- with its democracy, prosperity, culture, and pomp- elicited the ire and jealousy of Sparta, Corinth, Euboea, and others- the same way that the US has done in the past half century. While the war was relatively small, when one looks at the number of people involved, it serves as a strong historical microcosm from which we can learn various things. Evidently this long and drawn out war is one of the most studied chapters of military history.
While I am only 100 pages into the book I am very much into it. I have been reading much about the ancient Greek and Roman societies lately. I must say that everything that I admire about the Romans can actually be attributed to the Greeks. Their finest moments and achievements were built on the foundation that the Greeks left behind. In reading a biography on Cicero I quickly learned that all of the greatest Roman thinkers were trained and followed the tenets led out by their older neighbors across the Adriatic.
Something else that I have found interesting. All of the great names that we associate with Classical Greece lived in the tumultuous 30 year Peloponnesian war. While the Spartans and Athenians were mired in war, figures like Socrates, Pericles, and Aristophanes were thriving. It's hard to think that highest moments of Greek achievement were couched between the Persian invasion and the Peloponnesian war.
Anyways, back to the present day and my present concerns... Namely trying to figure out why Alexandra won't stop crying.

Books...I almost forgot about those things.

We just got back from a pleasant dinner and trip to the local bookstore. While wading through the sea of kids dressed as Harry Potter- the 6th book comes out tomorrow I'm told- I was able to discover a long lost friend, the book. Reading was something that I'd do voraciously while growing up but something that has become more of a casual hobby as of late.
I wouldn't say that I'm a beer bellied TV watching ignoramus but I have to admit that my thirst for education through the written word has somewhat waned. While pouring over numerous interesting titles I had a feeling of guilt. Sometimes I'll come home from work and force myself to watch summer reruns of shows that aren't even entertaining or close to being worthwhile. I've lost that discipline that I once had as a kid to find an interesting book and see it through to the last page.
So I decided to take a stand right there in aisle number 3. I purchased a book on the Roman great, Cicero, and didn't look back. I'm already through the first 30 pages and I'm gaining momentum with each successive chapter. The satisfaction achieved through reading and learning is tenfold over most mundane activity. How sad and dull would be if I didn't take the time or effort to understand this world and its inhabitants. Books are that opportunity. I'm a fool for ever neglecting their inviting pages.

Spartan living, today?

Right now I'm currently reading "Gates of fire" by Steven Pressfield, he's the fellow who gave us "Bagger Vance". This book is a historical fiction, like Bagger, that details the Battle of Thermopylae. In this battle, an ancient day version of the Alamo, the grossly undermanned Spartan armies held the large imperial amries of King Xerxes at bay and helped Greece fend off the Persian invaders. The book doesn't try to give a factual play by play, that would be hard, but tries to provide insights into the Spartan culture.

The Spartan region was home to the proud warriors of ancient Greece. While the thinkers came out of Athens, the toughest men came from Sparta. They had an elaborate and harsh warrior code that dictated Spartan living. At age 9 Spartan boys would enroll in the Agoge and would focus on warrior skills and working together in victory. Their training regiment bordered on brutality and young men, beaten down and exhusted by the training, were taught that it was better to keep going and die then to give in and submit. After all, are breaks given for the tired during warfare? As a result of this training the Spartan armies were among the envy of the ancient world and their lines were rarely broken. While training was extreme, these boys learned the value of brotherhood, honor, and competition.

Now to my question. How would the Spartans fare in today's world? Theirs was a world that broke down the individual and built up a unit. Ours is a world that breaks down the group while catering and celebrating the individual. While I would agree that some of Spartan life was extremely brutal, I do greatly admire what they were able to accomplish and what they stood for. I am not alone. The greatest leaders and thinkers throughout history have studied and celebrated the Spartan code. But sadly we live in a time when we couldn't truly live according to their code. Heck, the Boy Scouts can't even function without being intruden upon by someone whose "rights" have been violated.

The reason that the Spartan's were so feared and effective was due to their code and the way they lived. Without those those harsh conditions they wouldn't have been great. Our modern society today wouldn't allow for alot of the conditions that made the Spartans what they were. Personal rights are great and necessary, but sometimes it seems that their excessive emphasis can also be an excuse for not truly being great or not truly being responsible.

Reading Relevance

Sometimes during certain parts of my life I encounter something that perfectly pertains to my situation at that point. Many times I have uncovered scriptures that have spoken directly to a challenge I was facing. Recently the book that is speaking to me is "Atlas Shrugged".

The book, like the views of Rand, espouse the importance of productivity of capital generation. The enemies or antagonists are called "looters" and make their wealth by feeding off of their connections, laws, and socialist tendancies. The real generators of industrial wealth are condemned and weighed down and finally flee the country.

Why does this pertain to me? I am currently in between jobs and evaluating my worth as a contributor to the work force. Do I have the courage, work ethic, and intelligence to generate wealth myself? Do I have to rely on others to make things happen for me? These thoughts were recently evoked by a recent phone call from my mother-in-law. In it she stated that she knew a few people that I can talk to regarding a couple of opportunities in Utah. It made me think. Should I feel guilty for accepting such help? I didn't truly earn this advantage through my own work but through my connection to other people. All things being equal I want my work to speak for me and not my network.

Connections are an essential thing, a true necessity in todays world. I guess they are good in establishing an initial relationship. But work, skill, and knowledge are what should be needed in order prove worth and make connections last. So both social abilities and pure skill are needed to truly succeed. I wonder what Ayn Rand would think?

Gadianton Jihad

Just an observation from my scripture reading, nothing more.

The books of Helaman and early 3rd Nephi contain many passages that detail the problems created by the dark and secret works of the Gadianton Robbers. This clandestine group worked in the shadows and constantly thwarted the efforts of the government and church, even to the point of quietly controlling key government posts. While it didn't appear that they were able to influence to most righteous saints, they were able to get to the vast majority whose faith wasn't as strong.

The actions and tactics of this group caught my attention, given what is currently going on in the Middle East. While their motives might be different, Al Queda appears to use many of the same techniques employed anciently by the robbers. The most striking similarity is how they employ quiet and guerilla tactics, blending in among the people and using unconventional warfare. They both appeared to be extremely devoted to their cause, to the point of employing fear and elaborate rituals to ensure loyalty. I won't go as far to say that Satan is the author of Al Queda but both groups were set on the destruction of their enemy, the US now and the Church in ancient times.

This observation isn't too significant but it has shown me that human nature is virtually the same, regardless of place or time. The problems, tendencies, conditions that existed thousands of years ago still exist today. That is why I can read the writings of ancient prophets and still benefit from their teachings. The fundamental aspects of life are always the same.

He's not that Machiavellian after all

I've been reading the Prince lately, something I've wanted to do since my first political science class way back in high school. I always wondered if the book and its author earned all of the connotations that it's been given over the years. Well, after reading the first 13 chapters I would have to conclude that the book and Nicolo weren't as evil and conniving as all of my professors made him out to be.
I found the book to be a compilation of very astute political observations that have been recorded throughout history. These observations served as the basis for understanding human nature, particularly when it comes to obtaining and preserving power. He was merely describing what has worked and not worked concerning politics and power. I found his insights, despite their antiquity, to adequately describe what we see taking place today in the world of business, politics, and everyday life. He never overtly suggests one tactic or another, he merely describes what has worked over history and what hasn't. If anything he discouraged deceit, greed, and other adjectives usually accompany his name and works.
Anyways, the book has been a good read, if I only had the fortitude to finish Joyce's Ulysses. Books are great, it's just a struggle to get beyond the ease and convenience of TV and other distractions to get to them. Back to Seinfeld reruns.